Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Galarza.
Hi Maria, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey began more than twenty years ago, when I first fell in love with the world of medical ultrasound. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in hospitals, imaging centers, and alongside midwives and physicians witnessing some of the most powerful and emotional moments in people’s lives. But I always felt something was missing.
In 2021, I decided to take a leap of faith and open SonoHope, a place where families could experience ultrasound in a completely different way surrounded by love, faith, and genuine care. I wanted every mom to feel seen, supported, and celebrated. SonoHope became more than a clinic it became a sanctuary for expectant families.
As the business grew, so did my heart for service. I felt called to expand beyond imaging, to offer emotional and physical support throughout the journey of motherhood. That’s when I began my training and certification as a Doula, adding a new dimension to what SonoHope represents. Through Doula Bilingual Care, I now walk alongside mothers not only during pregnancy, but also during birth and postpartum helping them prepare, connect, and heal.
Every day, my goal is to bring compassion back into healthcare. SonoHope serves families in North Florida, and we continue to grow as a community built on faith, excellence, and hope.
Recently, I launched the Hope of Motherhood Foundation, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to helping mothers and babies in need through clothing donations, support resources, and educational programs. It’s one more way we extend the heart of SonoHope beyond the ultrasound room and into the community.
Looking back, I see how every challenge, every late night, and every prayer has led to something greater than I could’ve imagined. My story is one of faith, perseverance, and purpose and I’m honored to keep inspiring other women, especially Latinas, to follow their calling and create something that touches lives.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many entrepreneurs, especially women balancing motherhood and business ownership, I’ve faced many obstacles along the way.
When I first started SonoHope, I was doing everything myself from performing ultrasounds and managing patients, to marketing, cleaning, and handling all the business responsibilities. I was learning as I went, often with limited resources, faith, and determination as my main fuel.
One of the biggest challenges was building trust and visibility in a competitive field while staying true to my values. I wanted to offer something different something heartfelt, not just clinical. That meant working harder to educate people about the importance of compassionate care and to create a safe, faith-filled space for families.
There were also moments of doubt times when I questioned if I was doing the right thing, especially during financial challenges and seasons of uncertainty. But every time I faced a closed door, prayer and perseverance opened another.
Over time, I realized that when you trust in God, obstacles look different they become lessons. Each challenge transforms into an opportunity to grow, to become stronger, and to witness His faithfulness in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
Today, I can say every challenge has shaped SonoHope into what it is a place built not from perfection, but from faith, purpose, and love for what I do.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
SonoHope is more than an ultrasound studio it’s a place built with heart, faith, and purpose. We specialize in obstetric, fertility monitoring, general, and vascular ultrasounds and elective ultrasound 3D 4D and AI Realistic imaging, but what truly sets us apart is the way we care for each person who walks through our doors. Every scan, every heartbeat, every visit is personal.
We combine medical excellence with an atmosphere of warmth, faith, and emotional connection. At SonoHope, families don’t just see images they experience love, peace, and hope. Our goal is to make every mom feel valued, supported, and celebrated through one of the most special times in her life.
Beyond ultrasound, I’ve expanded our care through bilingual Doula Care, where I support women during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. We create personalized birth plans, offer emotional and physical support, and guide families with faith-based compassion every step of the way. It’s about empowering mothers to feel confident and cared for body, mind, and soul.
We also recently launched the Hope of Motherhood Foundation, a nonprofit initiative that extends our mission to the community by helping mothers and babies in need with clothing donations, support programs, and educational resources.
What I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is that SonoHope has remained authentic. We never lose sight of why we started to bring light, love, and faith into healthcare. Our name, SonoHope, reflects exactly what we bring: sound and hope.
To anyone reading this, I want you to know that SonoHope is a space created with prayer, love, and purpose a place where families can celebrate life, connect with faith, and feel truly seen.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about our city is the sense of community. Jacksonville and the surrounding areas are full of kind, family-oriented people who truly care for one another. I’ve met so many incredible women, mothers, and small business owners who inspire me every day. There’s something special about how families here support local businesses and value genuine connection that’s a big part of what keeps SonoHope growing.
I also love how diverse and welcoming our city is. As a Latina entrepreneur, I’ve felt embraced and encouraged to bring my culture, language, and faith into what I do. Seeing the growing Hispanic community makes me proud and hopeful for the future.
What I like least is that sometimes, access to maternal and women’s health resources can be limited, especially for Spanish-speaking families or those seeking more personalized, holistic care. That’s part of why I started SonoHope to fill that gap and bring compassionate, bilingual support to every mom who needs it.
Pricing:
- Our prices start at $48.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sonohope.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonohope_?igsh=MTJiYWJoZmp6dzZpMQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GQNJX95UZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
